Sept. 6: State Transportation Funding News Roundup

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant (R) signed legislation into law on Aug. 29 to increase transportation funding by $200 million annually. The package will provide revenue through a variety of measures, including a portion of a settlement with BP over the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill off the coast of Mississippi; a newly-created state lottery; $300 million in bonds; a $150 annual electric vehicle registration fee and $75 hybrid vehicle registration fee; 35 percent of sales tax revenue from online purchases; and taxes on newly-legalized sports betting in casinos. The legislation also requires counties to provide a match for the state use tax money. Read More>>

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb proposed a plan on Sept. 4 that would provide $1 billion in new transportation funding by increasing toll rates by 35 percent for heavy vehicles. Of that revenue, $790 million would be used for highway improvements, and the remaining funds would go towards airports, broadband access, and hiking, biking and riding trails. The plan, which would amend an existing contract with the Indiana Toll Road Concession Company, would not require legislative approval. Read More>>

Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson warned in a radio interview Sept. 3 that the state is in jeopardy of losing federal transportation funds because it does not have the revenue to meet its match requirement. Read More>>

The South Carolina Department of Transportation will begin a pilot program later this year that will transfer certain state roads to local governments that volunteer to participate. For each transfer the state will provide enough revenue to maintain the road for 40 years, after which the locality assumes all costs associated with the road. While this will enable local governments to manage repaving and improvements, some voiced concerns about the long-term funding needed to maintain the infrastructure. About two dozen municipalities indicated intent to apply for the program. South Carolina approved a state gas tax increase in 2017, but the revenue falls short of what the state needs to restore the whole road system to good condition. Read More>>

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The Transportation Investment Advocacy Center (TIAC) is a key component of ARTBA’s “Transportation Makes America Work!”™ (TMAW) program and supported through voluntary contributions and sponsorships. To become a sponsor or to make a contribution, contact TIAC Director Carolyn Kramer at ckramer@artba.org or 202-289-4434. Also contact Ms. Kramer if you have questions or comments about any reports or case studies published through the TIAC.

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In addition to the dynamic www.transportationinvestment.org site, the TIAC program includes an annual workshop in Washington, D.C., and ongoing webinars for transportation investment advocates featuring case studies, best practices, and the latest in political and media strategies. State and local chamber of commerce executives, state legislators, state and local transportation officials, “Better Roads & Transportation” group members, industry and labor executives, and leaders of state and local chapters of national organizations who have an interest in transportation development programs are welcomed to participate.